SWAN Advocacy provide independent advocates to help ensure that your rights are upheld and that your views, wishes and needs are heard, respected and acted upon. You will need a professional health or social care worker to refer you to some of the services below, unless stated otherwise.

Care Act Advocacy

The Care Act 2014 says that people must be involved in decisions about their care and support. A Care Act advocate can help you be heard, understand your choices, and make your own decisions about your care within:

• local authority care needs and carer assessments
• care and support planning
• care reviews
• safeguarding

Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy

Advocacy for people who have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983 and need help to understand their rights and participate in their care and treatment. They can help you to:

• understand and exercise your rights
• request a review of your section
• access information about your treatments
• plan for your care and understand how to raise concerns about your experience

Independent Mental Health Advocacy

Independent Mental Health Advocacy is there to make sure vulnerable adults, who lack the capacity to make important decisions about their care and who do not have a family or friends to help them, have someone who can make sure their wishes and feelings are considered when people are making decisions on their behalf. They can:

• find out about and communicate your views, wishes and feelings to decision makers
• provide information to you and to the decision makers to work out what is in your best interests

Advocacy for parents during care proceedings

Support for parents with additional needs, such as a learning disability, by providing advocacy during the child protection process.

General/Generic advocacy

This is advocacy which is issue-based and time limited. It is for those who have difficulties being involved in decisions that affect them, such as those with learning difficulties, physical health problems, mental health problems, acquired brain injury and dementia. Advocates can help you:

• have your voice and views heard by others
• gain access to information, professional advice and guidance
• consider options, make decisions and act on information and advice
• liaise with health and social care professionals, and anyone involved in your care and treatment
• make complaints

You can refer yourself for this service.

Continuing Healthcare Advocacy

For individuals who are, or who may be, eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) who have questions about the long-term care funding system, are preparing for a CHC assessment or wish to challenge a continuing healthcare decision.

You can refer yourself for this service.

Carers Advocacy

Independent support to ensure the rights of the cares for person and to enable carers to obtain the care and support they need to continue in their caring role. They work to ensure the rights of the person cared for and support the carer to have their needs met and their rights respected.

You can refer yourself for this service.

There is no charge to you for advocacy services by SWAN Advocacy. The service is funded by local authorities for anyone who is eligible.

Contact SWAN Advocacy

You can contact SWAN advocacy by:

• email: dorset@swanadvocacy.org.uk
• telephone: 0333 344 7928